Cover device for the vehicle top storage compartment of a convertible vehicle

ABSTRACT

A cover device is provided for a vehicle top storage compartment of a convertible vehicle. A cover can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position. Two side flaps are arranged on sides of the cover that lie opposite each other transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which side flaps can be pivoted between a passive position, in which they open lateral passage openings, and an active position, in which they close the passage openings. A particularly inexpensive construction is achieved by mounting the side flaps on the cover in each case via a bearing arrangement which makes it possible to lower the particular side flap relative to the cover and to pivot the side flap under the cover. A driving device provided for adjusting the side flaps is designed exclusively for the pivoting adjustment about the flap axis, which is defined by the sleeve and the bolt. The side flaps are mounted and arranged in such a manner that the lowering of the side flaps takes place automatically when the cover is opened.

The present invention relates to a cover device for a vehicle topstorage compartment of a convertible vehicle in which the compartmentserves to store a vehicle roof.

A cover device of this type is disclosed in German patent document DE 4446 483 C2 and has a cover which is mounted in a manner such that it canbe adjusted by pivoting about a cover axis, which runs transversely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and horizontally,between a closed position and an open position. In its closed position,the cover extends essentially in a horizontal plane and closes a vehicletop storage compartment opening. In its open position, the cover isinclined relative to the horizontal plane, in which case it opens orreleases the vehicle top storage compartment opening. Two side flapswhich can be adjusted in each case between a passive position and anactive position are arranged on sides of the cover that lie oppositeeach other transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle. With the cover adjusted into its closed position, the sideflaps, in their passive position, in each case open a passage openingwhich is laterally adjacent to the cover on each side of the vehicle andis required for the closed vehicle roof in order to guide a roofcomponent, e.g. a “C-pillar”, out of the vehicle top storagecompartment. In their passive position, the side flaps are situatedabove the cover, are pivoted in above the cover and extend parallelthereto. In their active position, the side flaps close the passageopenings if the cover is in its closed position. In the active position,the side flaps extend in the plane of the cover, i.e. the side flaps andthe cover extend in the same plane.

The known cover device has a first driving device which drives the coverabout its cover axis for the pivoting adjustment. For the adjustment ofthe side flaps, a second driving device is provided which drives theside flaps in each case about an associated flap axis, which runs ineach case perpendicularly with respect to the cover, for the pivotingadjustment. The second driving device has, for each side flap, apivoting bracket which can be pivoted with the cover and to which acylindrical bolt is fastened. A cylindrical slotted-guide sleeve, inwhose wall a guide groove is incorporated, is placed onto this bolt. Aguide pin of the pivoting bracket engages in this guide groove. Inaddition, a reversing lever is mounted on the pivoting bracket, thelever engaging at one end in a guide ring formed on the slotted-guidesleeve and being drivable at the other end by means of Bowden cable. TheBowden cable is connected at its other end to a tension lever which isactuated with the aid of a slotted-guide mechanism. This slotted-guidemechanism is connected fixedly to a slide on which the cover is mountedand which can be adjusted together with the cover in the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle. This results in a kinematic coupling which,when the cover is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle,uses the slotted-guide mechanism to pivot the tension lever which, as aresult, uses the Bowden cable to pivot the reversing lever, as a resultof which the latter causes a lifting adjustment of the slotted-guidesleeve, which adjustment causes a rotation of the slotted-guide sleeveand of the side flap fastened thereto because of the guide pin engagingin the guide groove.

German patent document DE 196 37 005 C1 discloses a further cover devicein which a cover likewise has laterally arranged side flaps. In thiscover device, the side flaps are in each case mounted on the cover abouta pivot axis running in the plane of the cover via a hinge band on thecover. The drive takes place via a tension cable which is deflected anumber of times and is kinematically coupled to a driving device foradjusting the cover. The resetting takes place by means of correspondingspring means.

German patent document DE 298 12 165 U1 discloses a further cover devicein which side flaps are arranged at the sides of the cover. These sideflaps serve both when the vehicle roof is open and when the vehicle roofis closed to close openings which are laterally adjacent to the cover.Accordingly, these side flaps are always in their active position whenthe cover is in its closed position, irrespective of whether the vehicleroof is open or closed. Only in the open position of the cover are theside flaps pivoted in under the cover. For driving the side flaps, foreach side flap a bearing shaft is mounted on the lower side of the coverin a manner such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis and isconnected in a rotationally fixed manner to the particular side flap.Furthermore, a supporting lever which supports the particular side flapis mounted on the particular bearing shaft.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of specifying for acover device of the type mentioned at the beginning an improvedembodiment which, in particular, has a construction which can berealized particularly inexpensively.

This problem is solved by the present invention. Advantageousembodiments are the subject matter of dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general concept of decoupling thepivoting adjustment of the side flaps from the lifting adjustmentthereof and at the same time forcibly coupling the lifting adjustment ofthe side flaps to the pivoting adjustment of the cover. This makes itpossible for the driving device, which is provided for the adjustment ofthe side flaps, to be of comparatively simple construction, since itonly has to bring about the pivoting of the side flaps. This is achievedby means of appropriately configured bearing arrangements which aredesigned in such a manner that the lifting adjustment and the pivotingadjustment of the side flaps are decoupled from each other. In addition,the mounting or arrangement of the side flaps takes place in such amanner that the lifting adjustment of the side flaps takes placeautomatically when the cover is opened or when the cover is closed.

In one preferred embodiment, the lowering of the side flaps or thelifting adjustment thereof can take place by means of gravitationalforce, by means of spring force of a spring, or by means of theresistance force of a stop or a guide slot, e.g. a curve in the track,when the cover is opened.

The second driving device, which is provided for implementing thepivoting adjustment of the side flaps, is expediently coupled in termsof drive directly or indirectly to the cover and/or to the first drivingdevice, which is provided for pivoting adjustment of the cover, in sucha manner that, during an adjustment of the cover, the side flaps areinevitably driven.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the integration of thelifting adjustment of the side flaps in the kinematics of the covertakes place by means of two rotary/sliding bearings via which the sideflaps are mounted on the cover. These rotary/sliding bearings in eachcase comprise a bolt which is mounted in a rotatable and axiallyadjustable manner in a sleeve. The provision of the rotary/slidingbearings on the lower side of the cover makes it possible for the sideflaps to be driven by gravitational force, at least when there are smallangles between the cover and a horizontal plane, into a position whichis lowered relative to the cover. When the cover is pivoted downward,the supports assigned to the side flaps cause the side flaps to remainstationary relative to the supports while the cover pivots furtherdownward. In this way, the side flaps are raised in their activeposition to the level of the cover or the cover is lowered to the levelof the side flaps. When the cover is pivoted upward, the kinematicreversal takes place, with the result that the cover is initially raisedrelative to the side flaps and only carries the latter along when themaximum extension length of the rotary/sliding bearings, which length isdefined by a corresponding stop, is reached.

In one preferred development, the cover can be adjusted between a frontposition, in which, when the vehicle roof is closed, the cover takes upa front closed position in which the cover opens a passage gap, which isrearwardly adjacent to the cover with respect to the direction of traveland is required for the closed vehicle roof, and a rear position, inwhich, when the vehicle roof is opened, the cover takes up a rear closedposition with respect to the direction of travel in which the covercloses the passage gap. A section of the vehicle roof which is at therear with respect to the direction of travel can be guided out of thevehicle top storage compartment through the passage gap formed in thismanner. This is advantageous in particular if the vehicle roof is a“hardtop” which is movable and can be folded away and unfolded.

In one development, the first driving device can drive the coveressentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to adjust itbetween the front position and the rear position, the second drivingdevice then expediently being kinematically coupled to the first drivingdevice in such a manner that an adjustment of the cover from its rearposition into its front position pivots the particular side flap intoits passive position, and an adjustment of the cover from its frontposition into its rear position pivots out the particular side flap intoits active position. By means of this measure, the second driving deviceis virtually integrated in the first driving device, with the actuationof the second driving device being coupled to the sliding adjustment ofthe cover by means of the first driving device. This is particularlyexpedient, since, firstly, a pivoting adjustment of the side flaps isrequired only if the lateral passage openings have to be opened orclosed, i.e. if, for the opening or for the closing of the vehicle roof,the rear passage gap also has to be opened or closed. Secondly, thismeasure results in a considerable simplification of the construction ofthe second driving device.

The support for the particular side flap is expediently formed by a stepformed on the edge of the associated passage opening. A step of thistype may already be taken into consideration during the production ofthe trim panel which has the edge, and so essentially no additionalexpense is incurred for the realization of the support.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge fromthe subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description ofthe figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and thefeatures which have yet to be explained below can be used not only inthe respectively stated combination, but also in other combinations oron their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in thedrawings and is explained in greater detail in the followingdescription, with the same reference numbers referring to identical orfunctionally identical or similar components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a greatly simplified plan view of a rear region of aconvertible vehicle (otherwise not illustrated) which is equipped with acover device according to the invention, with the vehicle roof open,

FIG. 2 shows a view as in FIG. 1, but with the vehicle roof closed, and

FIGS. 3 to 6 show greatly simplified schematic illustrations of thecover device in a side view in different states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a convertible vehicle 1 has, in a rearregion illustrated here, a vehicle top storage compartment 2 whichserves to accommodate a vehicle roof 3. This vehicle roof 3 can bedesigned as a “softtop” and can accordingly consist essentially of awoven material. It is likewise possible to design the vehicle roof as a“hardtop”, with the result that it consists essentially of shellelements.

The vehicle top storage compartment 2 has a vehicle top storagecompartment opening 4 through which the vehicle roof 3 can be moved intothe vehicle top storage compartment 2 or out of the vehicle top storagecompartment 2. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a cover device 5 accordingto the invention, which has a cover 6 which can be formed as a singlepart or in a number of parts. In the embodiment shown here, the cover 6is designed as a single part. The cover 6 is mounted in a manner suchthat it can be adjusted by pivoting about a cover axis 7 between aclosed position, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6, and an openposition, which is shown in FIG. 5. This cover axis 7 runs essentiallyhorizontally and transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis 8 ofthe vehicle. Accordingly, the cover axis 7 lies in the plane ofprojection in each case in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereas it is perpendicular tothe plane of projection in FIGS. 3 to 6.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, in its closed position the cover 2 closesthe vehicle top storage compartment opening 4 and extends essentially ina horizontal plane which runs parallel to the plane of projection inFIGS. 1 and 2. In its closed position, the cover 6 can be used as a rearparcel shelf.

As emerges from FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 6 can also be adjusted in thelongitudinal direction 8 of the vehicle between a rear position, whichis shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and a front position, which is shown inFIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The terms “front” and “rear” refer here to thedirection of travel of the vehicle. When the vehicle roof 3 is closed, arear passage gap 10 is required between the cover 6 and an edge 9 of thevehicle top storage compartment opening 4 in order to be able to guide arear section of the vehicle roof 3 out of the vehicle top storagecompartment 2 through this passage gap 10 and to be able to position it.Accordingly, in its front closed position according to FIGS. 2 and 6,the cover 6 releases this passage gap 10 and opens the latter. Incontrast to this, when the vehicle roof 3 is open, the passage gap 10 isnot required. Accordingly, in its rear closed position according toFIGS. 1 and 3, the cover 6 closes this passage gap 10.

The cover device 5 also has two side flaps 11 which are arranged onsides of the cover 6 that lie opposite each other transversely withrespect to the longitudinal axis 8 of the vehicle. These side flaps 11can be adjusted in each case between an active position, which is shownin FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and a passive position, which is shown in FIGS. 2,5 and 6. In their active position, the side flaps 11 according to FIG. 1close respective passage openings 12 which are in each case laterallyadjacent to the cover 6, i.e. transversely with respect to thelongitudinal direction 8 of the vehicle, if the cover is in its closedposition. These passage openings 12 are required for the closed vehicleroof 3 in order to guide rear sections, in particular C-pillars, whichare also arranged laterally here, out of the vehicle top storagecompartment 2. Accordingly, when the vehicle roof 3 is open, accordingto FIG. 1, the side flaps 11 are in their active position in order toclose the lateral passage openings 12. In contrast to this, when thevehicle roof 3 is closed, according to FIG. 2, the passage openings 12are required, to which end the side flaps 11 are adjusted into theirpassive position in which they release or open the lateral passageopenings 12. In addition, the side flaps 11 extend parallel to the cover6 in their passive position too, in which case the side flaps 11 arepivoted in under the cover 6. That is to say, the side flaps 11 in theirpassive position, in the plan view according to FIG. 2, are concealed bythe cover 6 and therefore do not require any significant storage spacein the interior of the vehicle.

Furthermore, in their active position according to FIG. 1, the sideflaps 11 extend essentially in the plane of the cover 6, as a result ofwhich a shape-integrated overall covering is produced for the vehicletop storage compartment opening 4.

In order to be able to adjust the side flaps 11 between their passiveposition and their active position, the side flaps 11 are firstlymounted in a manner such that they can pivot in each case about a flapaxis 13, each flap axis 13 running perpendicularly with respect to thecover 6. Accordingly, the flap axes 13 run perpendicularly with respectto the plane of projection in FIGS. 1 and 2 while they lie in each casein the plane of projection in FIGS. 3 to 6.

Since the side flaps 11, in their active position according to FIG. 1,extend in the same plane as the cover 6 and, in their passive positionaccording to FIG. 2, are arranged below the cover 6, a liftingadjustment between the cover 6 and side flaps 11 is also required.

According to FIGS. 3 to 6, each side flap 11 is mounted on the cover 6via a bearing arrangement, which arrangements are in each case designed,in the preferred embodiment shown here, as rotary/sliding bearings 14. Arotary/sliding bearing 14 of this type comprises a cylindrical sleeve 15and a cylindrical bolt 16 onto which the sleeve 15 is placedconcentrically. The bolt 16 and sleeve 15 are coordinated with eachother in such a manner that the sleeve 15 is mounted in a rotatable andaxially displaceable manner on the bolt 16.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, the bolt 16 is fastened to thelower side of the cover 6 and protrudes essentially vertically from thelatter. A disk-shaped stop 17 which restricts the axial displaceabilityof the sleeve 15 is formed at the free end of the bolt 16. The sleeve 15is connected fixedly to the associated side flap 11 via an arm 18. Thesleeve 15 and bolt 16 define the particular flap axis 13 whichaccordingly runs concentrically with the sleeve 15 and bolt 16.

A first driving device 19, which is illustrated merely by way ofindication in FIGS. 3 to 6 and can in principle be constructed asdesired, is provided for adjusting the cover 6. This first drivingdevice 19 is designed in such a manner that, firstly, it permits thepivoting adjustment of the cover 6 about the cover axis 7 and, secondly,also serves to displace the cover 6 in the direction of the longitudinalaxis 8 of the vehicle. For example, the first driving device 19comprises for this purpose a bearing console 20 in which is formed anelongated hole 21 which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 of thevehicle and in which a shaft 22, which runs concentrically with thecover axis 7, is displaceably mounted. The cover 6 is then mounted onthis shaft 22 via tabs 23.

In order to adjust the side flaps 11, a second driving device 24 isprovided which is designed in such a manner that it can exclusivelyrealize a rotational adjustment of the particular side flap 11 about theassociated flap axis 13. This second driving device 24 is formed, forexample, by a Bowden cable which is arranged in a suitable manner. TheBowden cable shown can be equipped with a restoring spring 26 which isfitted at a suitable point.

While the rotatability of the sleeve 15 on the bolt 16 is thereforepredetermined by the second driving device 24, the sleeve 15 can beadjusted in principle freely between the stop 17 and the lower side ofthe cover 6 in the axial direction along the bolt 16.

In addition, at least one fixed support 25, i.e. fixed in position inrelation to the vehicle top storage compartment 2, is provided in theregion of each passage opening 12 for the particular side flap 11, onwhich support the associated side flap 11 rests in its active positionwhen the vehicle top storage compartment 2 is closed. This state isreproduced in FIG. 3.

A support 25 of this type can be integrated, for example, in the edge 9of the vehicle top storage compartment opening 4, for example by a stepwhich projects into the vehicle top storage compartment opening 4 and onwhich the side flap 11 comes to rest being formed on the edge 9.

The cover device 5 according to the invention functions as follows:

In the state according to FIG. 3, the vehicle roof 3 is stored in thevehicle top storage compartment 2, i.e. the vehicle roof 3 is opened.The vehicle top storage compartment 2 or its vehicle top storagecompartment opening 4 is closed by the cover 6, the cover 6 being in itsrear closed position in order thereby also to close the passage gap 10.The side flaps 11 are in their active position and accordingly close thelateral passage openings 12. In order to close the vehicle roof 3, firstof all the vehicle top storage compartment opening 4 has to be released.For this purpose, the first driving device 19 drives the cover 6 in sucha manner that the latter first of all pivots upward about its cover axis7. Since the side flaps 11 are mounted in an axially freely adjustablemanner on the bolts 16, they remain on their particular support 25 atthe start of the pivoting movement of the cover 6. By means of theaction of gravitational force and/or by means of spring force the sideflaps 11 can slide downward along the bolts 16 when the cover 6 pivotsupward. Since, during the pivoting of the cover 6, the spatial positionof the bolts 16 also changes, the side flaps 11 are thereby alsocorrespondingly pivoted or tilted. FIG. 4 reproduces the state in whichthe side flaps 11 are just in contact with their supports 25 when thecover 6 is pivoted up or are just coming into contact with theirparticular support 25 when the cover 6 is pivoted down.

By means of the axially free mobility between the sleeve 15 and bolt 16,the lifting adjustment of the side flaps 11 for lowering them from theraised position, which is shown in FIG. 3 and in which the upper sidesof the cover 6 and of the side flaps 11 extend approximately in oneplane, i.e. on the same level, into the lowered position, which isreproduced in FIG. 4 and in which the side flaps 11 are situated belowthe cover 6, takes place virtually automatically by means of the actionof gravitational force and/or spring force when the cover 6 pivotsupward. In a corresponding manner, the lifting adjustment in order toraise the side flaps 11 from the lower position according to FIG. 4 intothe upper position according to FIG. 3 also takes place virtuallyautomatically if the side flaps 11, in the end phase of the cover 6pivoting downward, come to rest on their respective supports 25, as aresult of which the latter prevent a further lowering of the side flaps11, so that the side flaps 11 are raised relative to the cover 6 if thelatter pivots further downward.

The described construction does not require any separate driving meansfor the lifting adjustment of the side flaps 11 relative to the cover 6,as a result of which the cover device 5 according to the invention canbe realized particularly inexpensively.

During the transition between the pivoting positions of FIGS. 4 and 5, alongitudinal displacement of the cover 6 in the direction of thelongitudinal axis 8 of the vehicle also takes place. In the openposition of the cover 6 that is shown in FIG. 5, the cover is thereforealso in its front position. This longitudinal adjustment is likewisebrought about by means of the first driving device 19. According to oneexpedient embodiment, the second driving device 24 is coupled to thefirst driving device 19 in such a manner that, during this longitudinaladjustment, the desired rotational adjustment of the side flaps 11 abouttheir flap axes 13 inevitably arises. This is achieved, for example, bymeans of an appropriately fitted Bowden cable.

The forced coupling of the driving devices 19 and 24 ensures that, inthe front position of the cover 6 according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sideflaps 11 take up their passive position, in which they are pivoted inunder the cover 6.

In this open position of the cover 6, the vehicle roof 3 can be movedout of the vehicle top storage compartment 2 or can be moved into thevehicle top storage compartment 2.

If the cover 6 in its front position is subsequently pivoted downward,the side flaps 11 remain in their passive position, with the resultthat, in the front closed position of the cover 6 according to FIG. 6,the lateral passage openings 12 and the rear passage gap 10 for thevehicle roof 3 are free or opened.

The same applies if the cover 6 is moved back from its front positionaccording to FIGS. 5 and 6 into its rear position according to FIGS. 3and 4: the forced coupling of the kinematics of the cover 6 to thekinematics of the side flaps 11 forces, as the cover 6 moves back intoits rear position, the side flaps 11 to pivot out into their activeposition or into an intermediate position from which they can be raisedinto their active position relative to the cover 6.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A cover device for a vehicle top storage compartmentof a convertible vehicle, said compartment serving to store a vehicleroof, said cover device comprising: a cover which is mounted in a mannersuch that it can be adjusted by pivoting about a cover axis, which runstransversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle andhorizontally, between a closed position, in which the cover extendsessentially in a horizontal plane and closes a vehicle top storagecompartment opening, and an open position, in which the cover isinclined with respect to the horizontal plane and opens the vehicle topstorage compartment opening, two side flaps which are arranged on sidesof the cover that lie opposite each other transversely with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which side flaps can be adjustedbetween a passive position, in which, on each side of the vehicle in theclosed position of the cover, they open a respective passage opening,which is laterally adjacent to the cover and is required for the closedvehicle roof, and extend parallel to the cover in a manner pivoted inabove or under it, and an active position, in which, in the closedposition of the cover, they close the passage openings and extend in theplane of the cover, a first driving device which drives the cover aboutthe cover axis for pivoting adjustment, and a second driving devicewhich drives at least one of the side flaps about an associated flapaxis, which runs perpendicularly with respect to the cover, for pivotingadjustment, wherein each of the two side flaps is mounted on the covervia a bearing arrangement in such a manner that each side flap can belowered relative to the cover and, in the lowered position, can bepivoted about the associated flap axis, wherein the second drivingdevice drives the side flaps exclusively for the pivoting adjustmentabout the flap axes, wherein the side flaps are mounted and arranged insuch a manner that the lowering of the side flaps takes placeautomatically when the cover is opened, wherein each of the bearingarrangements is designed as a rotary/sliding bearing, wherein eachrotary/sliding bearing has a cylindrical sleeve which is plugged in anaxially displaceable and rotatable manner onto a cylindrical bolt,wherein the sleeve or the bolt is fastened to a lower side of the coverand protrudes vertically therefrom while the bolt or the sleeve isfastened to the particular side flap, wherein the bolt and the sleeveare in each case arranged concentrically to one of the flap axes,wherein the sleeve is arranged in an axially freely adjustable manner onthe associated bolt, and wherein at least one fixed support is providedin a region of the passage openings for each side flap, on which supportthe particular side flap, which has been pivoted into its activeposition, comes to rest when the cover is lowered into the closedposition and which in the process raises the side flap along the flapaxis into the plane of the cover.
 8. The cover device as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the side flaps are mounted and arranged in such amanner that lowering of the side flaps takes place by way ofgravitational force, spring force of a spring, or by way of resistanceforce of a stop or a guide slot when the cover is opened.
 9. The coverdevice as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second driving device iscoupled, in terms of drive, directly or indirectly to at least one ofthe cover and the first driving device, so that, during an adjustment ofthe cover, the side flaps are inevitably driven.
 10. The cover device asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the cover can be adjusted between a frontposition, in which, when the vehicle roof is closed, the cover takes upa front closed position in which the cover opens a passage gap, which isrearwardly adjacent to the cover and is required for the closed vehicleroof, and a rear position, in which, when the vehicle roof is opened,the cover takes up a rear closed position in which the cover closes thepassage gap.
 11. The cover device as claimed in claim 10, wherein thefirst driving device drives the cover essentially in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis of the vehicle to adjust it between the frontposition and the rear position, and wherein the second driving device iskinematically coupled to the first driving device in such a manner thatan adjustment of the cover from its rear position into its frontposition pivots the side flap into its passive position, and anadjustment of the cover from its front position into its rear positionpivots out the side flap into its active position.
 12. The cover deviceas claimed in claim 7, wherein the support is formed by a step formed onan edge of the passage opening.
 13. The cover device as claimed in claim8, wherein the second driving device is coupled, in terms of drive,directly or indirectly to at least one of the cover and the firstdriving device, so that, during an adjustment of the cover, the sideflaps are inevitably driven.
 14. The cover device as claimed in claim 8,wherein the cover can be adjusted between a front position, in which,when the vehicle roof is closed, the cover takes up a front closedposition in which the cover opens a passage gap, which is rearwardlyadjacent to the cover and is required for the closed vehicle roof, and arear position, in which, when the vehicle roof is opened, the covertakes up a rear closed position in which the cover closes the passagegap.
 15. The cover device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the firstdriving device drives the cover essentially in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle to adjust it between the front positionand the rear position, and wherein the second driving device iskinematically coupled to the first driving device in such a manner thatan adjustment of the cover from its rear position into its frontposition pivots the side flap into its passive position, and anadjustment of the cover from its front position into its rear positionpivots out the side flap into its active position.
 16. The cover deviceas claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover can be adjusted between a frontposition, in which, when the vehicle roof is closed, the cover takes upa front closed position in which the cover opens a passage gap, which isrearwardly adjacent to the cover and is required for the closed vehicleroof, and a rear position, in which, when the vehicle roof is opened,the cover takes up a rear closed position in which the cover closes thepassage gap.
 17. The cover device as claimed in claim 16, wherein thefirst driving device drives the cover essentially in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis of the vehicle to adjust it between the frontposition and the rear position, and wherein the second driving device iskinematically coupled to the first driving device in such a manner thatan adjustment of the cover from its rear position into its frontposition pivots the side flap into its passive position, and anadjustment of the cover from its front position into its rear positionpivots out the side flap into its active position.
 18. The cover deviceas claimed in claim 8, wherein the support is formed by a step formed onan edge of the passage opening.
 19. The cover device as claimed in claim9, wherein the support is formed by a step formed on an edge of thepassage opening.
 20. The cover device as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe support is formed by a step formed on an edge of the passageopening.
 21. The cover device as claimed in claim 11, wherein thesupport is formed by a step formed on an edge of the passage opening.22. The cover device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support isformed by a step formed on an edge of the passage opening.
 23. The coverdevice as claimed in claim 14, wherein the support is formed by a stepformed on an edge of the passage opening.
 24. The cover device asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the support is formed by a step formed onan edge of the passage opening.
 25. The cover device as claimed in claim16, wherein the support is formed by a step formed on an edge of thepassage opening.
 26. The cover device as claimed in claim 17, whereinthe support is formed by a step formed on an edge of the passageopening.